Propping up the bar has never been so dreamy. From beachfront beanbags beside glowing infinity pools, to hipster hangouts centred by enormous skate bowls, Canggu's best bars have it all - world-class concoctions included.
Already well known for its coffee culture and super healthy detox cafes, we figured it was high time to give you the run down on where to retox amongst the rice paddies of Canggu – because life’s always better at the bar. So pull up a stool – or a sandy bean bag – and settle in for the long haul, because Canggu’s best bars are ready to shake, stir and serve, from daytime summer sips all the way through to sunset and into the wee hours.
Our fave: The Lawn
Remember that simple patch of grass on Batu Bolong beach that used to be sprinkled with a few bamboo picnic blankets and a single combi van serving cold coconuts and ice pops? Well, that little Lawn has come quite a way in just over a year, and after serious renovations, this now-swanky spot sits two storeys tall with a beachfront infinity pool and some of the best cocktails and gourmet bites in Canggu.
This oceanfront trailblazer is now the happening joint on Canggu Beach and has become a barfly favourite thanks to its stylish cocktails [the Spicy Margarita and White Chocolate Espresso Martini are next level!], frosty cold beers and solid wine selection. And with its commanding spot overlooking the waves of Batu Bolong and one of the best sunset sights in town, the grass really is greener here.
Don’t miss their weekly 50Fridays fiesta, when prices are cut in half to ring in the weekend in style – just follow the flock of Canggu’s finest and you’ll soon find yourself beachfront beneath the palms and the glow of fairy lights, surrounded by the absolute best atmo in the ‘Gu.
The Lawn, Jl Pura Dalem, Canggu, p. +62 361 335 1055, e. hello@thelawncanggu.com
La Brisa
From the same family as Laguna, Favela, Sicilia and Plancha, La Brisa is the latest quirky-yet-cool destination from the “La” family, and the newest boho-beanbag beach club on Echo Beach in Canggu. Best enjoyed sans sandals and with a long drink in hand, La Brisa is a bohemian hub of rustic Spanish cooking, delish cocktails, swaying palm trees and a hot soundtrack to top it all off.
La Brisa, Jl Pantai Batu Mejan Gg. La Brisa, Echo Beach, Canggu, p. +62 81 139 466 66, e. bookings@labrisabali.com
Ji Terrace by the Sea
180-degree views of Canggu beach and a killer cocktail list are what makes this terrace bar sur mer such a gem. Like the first-rate food, the drinks are largely Asian infusions – sweet, savoury and seductive. Their fine wines and choice of sakes are also a huge draw card, so grab your glass and saunter up to the upper levels, where the talented roster of DJs spin the best tunes from sunset ’til late.
Ji Terrace by the Sea, Jl Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu Beach, p. +62 361 473 1701 / +62 81 239 652 695, e. ji@tuguhotels.com
Old Man’s
Arguably the catalyst for what is now booming Batu Bolong, Old Man’s is a buzzy hub of surfie cool that continues to pack ‘em in every day of the week. Cruisey beers, beachy fare, wicked value for money, live music and frequent late night DJ sessions all add up to a compulsory stop off during your ‘Gu bundles. If you’re brave enough, head down mid-week for Dirty Old Wednesday when beer pong and late night dancing on the tables is the order of the evening.
Old Man’s, Jl Batu Bolong, Canggu, p. +62 361 846 9158.
Deus
With its gallery space, motorbike garage, skate ramp, photo studio and surf shop, Canggu’s famous Temple of Enthusiasm is all things to all people. At the beating heart of this multi-purpose venue is the bar, which serves up icy cold beers and even colder cocktails (try the coconut ice ball shots) for the hispter, surf & custom bike brigade. Daytime hangs, live music and even evening movie viewings mean that it’s always a good time to swing by this Canggu emporium of cool.
Deus ex Machina, Jl Batu Mejan 8, Canggu, p. +62 811 388 150, e. info@id.deuscustoms.com.
Lacalita Bar y Cocina
Colourful murals, authentic Mexican fare and a cracking drinks list to boot mean a boozy sesh here should be top of your to-do list when you’re in the ‘Gu. You can’t go wrong with a good ol’ margarita, but take your pick from the extensive drinks menu if you fancy something a little different (anything with their famous jalapeño infused tequila would be our top pick), and remember that happy hour is 2-for-1 from 5-7pm Monday to Friday, and from 7am ’til 7pm on Sundays – arriba!
Lacalita, Jl Pantai Batu Bolong No.68, Canggu, Bali, p. +62 822 4731 2217, e. info@lacalacabali.com.
The Slow
With not one but two epic bars under its tropi-cool roof, The Slow has become the watering hole for anyone who’s anyone in the ‘Gu. With a vibe that screams “Sunday afternoon on Venice Beach”, The Slow attracts Canggu’s coolest and most beautiful crowds. Well, with its curated list of cocktails that use an ingredient-focussed approach, we’ll happily join them. All that’s left to decide is: will it be the easy, breezy bar street-side in the restaurant, or the glimmering rooftop bar that overlooking the buzz of Batu Bolong below? Top tip: the homemade Batur Negroni is next level.
The Slow, Jl Batu Bolong No. 97, p. +62 361 2099 000, e. res@theslow.id.
La Laguna
Like stepping into a bohemian wonderland, La Laguna is a beachy feast for all the senses. Gypsy caravans and lush tropical gardens guide your way into this ramshackle chic restaurant and bar, overlooking a peaceful lagoon right on Berawa beach. An Instagrammer’s dream, everything here is picture perfect – particularly their famous bamboo bridge to the sands of Canggu. Meanwhile, the food is as superb as you’d expect from the unstoppable La family (the guys behind Plancha, Favela, Sicilia and now Brisa) and the carefully crafted cocktails go down an absolute treat at any time of the day.
La Laguna, Jl Pura Kayu Putih, Pantai Berawa, Canggu, p. +62 81 236 382 272, e. bookings@lalagunabali.com.
Finn’s Beach Club
Everyone’s favourite Berawa bamboo beach club, you really can’t go wrong with a tipple or three here – at any time of the day. Booze up your brekky, swing by for the lunchtime shift or settle in for sundown with one of their fabulous cocktail creations. The beers (and ciders) are always cold, and the view ain’t too shabby either…
Finn’s Beach Club, Jl Pantai Berawa, Canggu, p. +62 361 844 6327, e. info@finnsbeachclub.com
Pretty Poison
Bringing a touch of retro California to Bali, dig out your skateboard for a sesh at Canggu’s coolest backyard pool, where you can tear up the tarmac on your board or just grab a drink and watch the show from the sidelines every day from 4pm onwards. Also on the agenda: live music, DJ sets, exhibitions, movie nights and more – but it’s Thursdays and Saturdays when things get really wild…
Pretty Poison, Jl Subak Canggu, Canggu, p. +62 81 246 229 340, e. info@prettypoisonbar.com.
Pablo’s
All hail Señor Escobar! Bet you’d never have guessed that the infamous cartel head hombre and marching powder mover par excellence is now running a bar in Canggu. Well, not really of course, it’s just named after the eponymous narcotrafficante and inspired by the mean streets of Medellín – all pastel colours and cantina chic. Expect oh-so-cool Columbian street food, Luca’s famous pizzas and a drinks list that is on point. Pablo’s, you had us at hola…
Pablo’s, Jl Pantai Batu Bolong #58, Canggu, p. +62 812 3720 9220, e. pabloscanggu@gmail.com
Peekaboo
Peekaboo – we see you! In fact, how could we not, with those street-style vibes and concrete walls decked out in bright, Banksy-esque graffiti? But don’t get this new Canggu haunt wrong – despite the grungy attitude, this place is all about boutique cocktails and really great bites, wrapped up in raw interiors reminiscent of downtown Paris. Try the Sour Lemongrass cocktail, made with Vodka, orange liqueur, amaretto, lemongrass, egg white & star fruit – and look out for the live art demos and old-school hip hop nights.
Peekaboo, Jl Pantai Batu Bolong No. 70, Canggu, p. +62 823 3905 9773, e. contact@peekaboocanggu.com.
Gimme Shelter
Go full Jagger at Canggu’s most rowdy rock’n’roll bar, where live music and lashings of booze ensure a night to remember (or rather, forget). A rotating list of talented bands hit the stage on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and if you fancy yourself as the next Janis Joplin, then get down for Monday open mic nights and crank the amps up to 11.
Gimme Shelter, Jl Lingkar Nelayan, Canggu, p. +62 81 238 048 867
Sand Bar
The first and still the most iconic watering hole actually on the sand in front of Old Mans (no longer at its original Echo Beach address), Sand Bar is a great spot to end a wild night out with an even wilder finale. Like a debaucherous mythical creature that only pops up after dark, Sand Bar is the after party of all after parties, kicking off post-midnight and into the wee hours. Amateur party animals need not apply. This one’s for the die-hard booze crews.
Sand Bar, Jl Pantai Batu Bolong, Echo Beach, Canggu, p. +62 81 237 651 816.
See you at the bar, Honeys!
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